Friedrich krefft



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

KREFPT. HYDROSTATIG VESSEL PROPELLING AND STEERlNG APPARATUS. No. 602,224. 2 Patented Apr. 1'2, 1898.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

- RKRBPF' HYDROSTATIG VESSEL. PROPELLING AND STEBRING APPAR'ATUS.

NO. 602,224. PtendApr. 1'2, 1898.

'rnn :"rA'rns f' FRIEDRICH KREFFT, OF BERLIN., GERMANY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 602,224, dated April 12, 1898. Application filed September 28, 1896. Serial No. 607,246. (No model.)

To all whmn it nuty concrn:

Be it known that I, FRIEDRIOH KREFF-r, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, and a resident of Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia and German Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hydrostatic Vessel Propulsion and Steering Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in means and apparatus for propelling vessel's in which the water is drawn into the vessel and then driven out by a steam-pump.

Heretofore certain practical difficulties were met with in the operation of the apparatus employed. It was found difficult to manage the vessel, and the outflow of Water from fixed nozzles or apertures would interfere or counteract the force of the rudder.

The object of my invention is to provide a vessel with a hydrostatic vessel-propulsion apparatus which will draw the water through the sides of the vessel and discharge it at the stern end thereof either in the central line or at either side thereof.

My invention consists in certain constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts to facilitate the above-named and other objects, which will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a sectional plan of the rear end of a vessel provided with my improved apparatus; Fig. 2, a Vertical longitudinal section in line x of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3, a transverse section in line y 'y of Fig. l through the 'pum-ps, looking forwardly. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the hull, showing the pump-cylinder gear-Wheels and the discharge-pipe.

The hull A of the vessel may be built in any well-known' or preferred manner and supports the frame B of a steam-engine C amidships, the driving-shaft D of which carries a gear-pinion D', which en gages upon either side with spur gear-Wheels D2 upon shafts D3, adapted to revolve in bearings d, bolted securely to the said bed-plate. Pump-cylinders E,-fitted with pistons E', driven by pitmen from cranks d' of shafts D3, serve to operate the twin single-acting pumps at each side of the vessel. Water-induction pipes E8 connect each pump-cylinder separately with apertures e, cover-ed by Valves E4, opening inwardly upon opposite sides of the vessel, and discharge-pipes F connect each of said pumpcylinders With a Y- section F' of a main discharge-pipe F2, which latter extends centrally and longitudinally to the Stern end of the vessel.

A valve F3 at the junction of the Y- section F' is hinged upon a pin f thereon and prevents the backflow of water to the pump-cylinders from the discharge-pipe F2, and the outer end of the discharge-pipe is turned upwardl-y or provided with an elbow F4, axially coi-ncident With the hinges g of .a rudder G, and is connected by a stuffing-box 'with the lower end of a discharge-spout H, the upper end of which is made fan-shaped 4and is secured to and constitutes a part of the rudder G to swing therewith and discharge the water of propulsion from the pumps in a sheet, which may be turned in any required direction and will serve not only to propel but direct and steer the vessel with great force in any required direction. When the rudder has been placed at the required angle, the stream of water issuin g constantly from it will with an uninterrupted force act in the same direction and without the backlash of the rudder effect the movement of the vessel in any required direction with great rapidity. This result is also greatly augmented by shutting off the water to the pumps from one side, thus allowing the vessel to move with less displacement or pressure of water against its moving side.

The discharge pipe F2 has two curved branch discharge-tubes I, one at each side thereof, which are connected at their ends to the Stern of the vessel upon each side of the rudder and through which apertures therein open communication from the said pipes to 'the free water at the stern of the vessel, the

water discharged therefrom serving to aid materially in the propulsion of the vessel. The discharge-tubes I each have a valve 1', which may be closed when the vessel is backing and may be opened separately to assist in steering the vessel. Supplemental discharge and backing tubes K eXtend at an angle rearwardly from the discharge-pipe F2 back of the discharge-tubes I and have upturned ends outside the Shell of the vessel, which are con- IOO nected by stufiing-boxes 70' With the pipes of fan-shaped discharge-spouts 71:2. The latter may have suitable gear-Wheels connected to suitable pinions and shafts, which may be operated from the deck or from the interior of the vessel to move said discharge-pipes, as in the rudder discharge-spout H, to aid in steel'- ing the vessel. The spouts 71:2 may be turned forwardly to discharge the Water toward the bow of the vessel, and thus provide means for the backward as Well as for the forward propulsion of the vessel. The spouts71c2 Will serve effectively to aid in steering the vessel, as Well as for propelling it.

It is evident that the several parts of the apparatus herein described may be employed for steering purposes or for auxiliary propulsion in connection With the ordinary mechanical means driven by steam, such as paddle- Wheels and screW-propellers, and that electric pumps or steam vacuum-pumps maybe used instead of the steam-engine connections herein described.

War vessels thus constructed are practically safe from being totally disabled and may be handled most effectively in close quarters. Submerged vessels and torpedo-boats may be fi tted with propelling-pumps operated by electrcity, and ferry-boats thus constructed may be easily operated by a cable-conduit and trolley properly support-ed.

The rudder may be operated by steam or other suitable gearing and holds the hollow fan-shaped discharge-nozzle pivoted coincidently therewith in a secure manner to swing it from side to side to enable it to resist effectively the entire propelling power of the apparatus should it be required, and thus hold the vessel under complete control.

I claim as myinVent-ion and desire to secure by Letters Patent A vessel propelling and steering apparatus, comprising a pump-cylinder, a Water-induction pipe, a rudder-blade pivotally su pport-ed in the usual manner to the stern of the vessel, a discharge-pipe and a fan-shaped rudder discharge-nozzle journaled to the outer end of the discharge-pipe by fiexible joints coincident with the pivotal axis of the rudder-blade, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myinvention I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WM. I'IAUPT, HENRY I-IASPER. 

